OFF THE MAP is a blog about maps by mapmaker Connie Brown. When she isn't painting commissioned maps, she entertains Deep Thoughts about the intersections of cartography with the absurdity of life, the Treaty of Tordasillas, the classrom, monsters & putti, Jasper Johns and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Off the Map

On November 18th, I participated in “Educators’ Evening,” a function at New York’s American Museum of Natural History. Surrounded by one of our globes, a print of our most illustrious map (The Hudson River and its Watershed), and some map-related educational material I’d developed, I talked to a slew of teachers about cultural cartography and about mapmaking as a student activity. I think I have some pretty good ideas, and I was heartened by conversations with creative and dedicated teachers. I dozed through history when I was a kid: dull textbooks, teachers blathering on. I think I’d have come to life in the right hands and with good materials.

If you’re an educator interested in maps, chime in. And stay tuned: under the auspices of The New York Map Society, I’m organizing a symposium on cartography in the classroom to be held (tentatively) at the New York Public Library on April 10th, 2010. What I have in mind is a forum for the free flow of ideas. I’ll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, know that the AMNH regularly holds these free events for teachers. This one involved a reception with really great food (in case you happen to bestarving young educator), a free tour of their new Silk Road exhibit, live Silk Road music, talks, and an opportunity to talk to organizations providing educational resources, including Redstone Studios. For info, visit the museum’s website.

OK, so apparently the Yeah Yeah Yeahs weren’t actually talking about geography–MAPS is an acronym for Karen O’s former boyfriend. But the beauty of art is that I don’t have to observe biographical context: here in my mapmaking studio, I dedicate this fabulous song to maps themselves.